Governance

Our Board provides strategic leadership, oversight and challenge. Trustees bring expertise in safeguarding, social care, finance, law, HR, community engagement and lived experience. They ensure that:

• Our services are safe, trauma‑informed and aligned with national best practice
• We meet all legal and regulatory requirements
• We use our resources responsibly and sustainably
• We listen to survivors and embed their voices in decision‑making
• We remain focused on long‑term impact for women and children

The Board meets regularly throughout the year and works closely with the senior leadership team to monitor performance, risk, and quality.

Safeguarding is at the heart of everything we do. We maintain robust policies and procedures that reflect statutory guidance and sector standards, including:

• Clear safeguarding responsibilities for all staff, volunteers and trustees
• Regular training in domestic abuse dynamics, trauma‑informed practice and risk management
• Strong partnerships with local safeguarding boards, police, health and social care
• Continuous learning from survivor feedback and case reviews

Our safeguarding approach is proactive, survivor‑centred and grounded in evidence.

We are committed to openness, integrity and strong governance. You can view our annual reports and financial statements on Companies House Aylesbury Womens Aid, and our Charity Commission entry provides clear information about how we are regulated and run. As proud members of Women’s Aid (WAFE), we work to national quality standards that ensure our services remain safe, trauma‑informed and centred on the needs and strengths of survivors.

Domestic abuse cannot be addressed in isolation. We work closely with:

• Local authorities and statutory partners
• Health and mental health services
• Schools and early years providers
• Community organisations and specialist VAWG partners

These partnerships help ensure that survivors receive coordinated, holistic support and that our community is better equipped to prevent and respond to abuse.

We are committed to continuous improvement. Our governance framework includes:

• Regular service audits and quality reviews
• Monitoring against national standards and emerging best practice
• Survivor feedback mechanisms that shape service design
• Staff development and reflective practice
• Risk management and scenario planning

This ensures our services remain safe, effective and responsive to the needs of women and children.